This year’s Circuit of Ireland, sponsored by the Larsen Building Supplies Company, has a new, shorter and more compact route. The quality of the entry hasn’t suffered though and the top drivers from three major Championships, the Tarmac, the MSA Asphalt and the NI series, are all here to do battle over the next two days. 14 special stages in total through Counties Down and Armagh, with the NI Championship section, led by Kenny McKinstry, missing out the two Sunday morning stages through Slieve Gullion. 115 cars in total are due to start the rally, 26 in the Tarmac division, 20 in the National A (Asphalt series) and 69 in the National B (NI Championship).
Heading the cars over the Banbridge start ramp will be the Ford Focus WRC of Gareth MacHale followed by reigning Tarmac Champion Eamonn Boland and former Champion Derek McGarrity at 3, both in Subarus. Tim McNulty is at 4 in another Subaru Impreza WRC, then its current leader of the Tarmac Championship Eugene Donnelly at 5 in his Skoda, while Peadar Hurson makes up the top six in his Subaru. That’s just the tip of the iceberg of an exciting line-up that includes the best of ‘GpN’ machinery, many of them contesting the Mitsubishi Evo Challenge, plus there is a selection of class contenders including Civics, Fiestas, a Clio and a Peugeot. Last minute entries in the Tarmac section, not listed in the programme, include Darren Gass who has the number 31 on his McKinstry Subaru, and Mark Donnelly is at 30 in his Fiesta. Armagh man Darren has Diarmuid Falvey co-driving, and Mark Donnelly has Paddy Robinson.
In the National A section, catering mostly for the MSA Asphalt, current points leader Melvyn Evans heads the list in his Subaru from former Champion David Mann, both in Subarus, and with current champion David Kynaston 3rd in the line up in his interesting Audi A3 Quattro. These three carry the numbers 40, 41 and 42.
Banbridge man Kenny McKinstry has the number 60 on his Subaru as he spearheads the National B section with Seamus Leonard at 61 and Denis Biggerstaff at 62. Mark Courtney is 4th in that particular line-up in his Celica and then its Emma McKinstry next in her Subaru Impreza WRC. In all parts of the rally of course there are some great drivers and cars outside the leading bunch, and it should be an exciting event.
In Ireland, the Circuit, with its great Easter tradition, has always commanded the utmost respect from the rally fraternity, and this year is no exception. Three times winner Derek McGarrity summed up the feelings of most of the drivers when his Impreza WRC came through scrutineering last night at Brendan Cumiskey’s VW garage in Dundalk. The Glengormley man said: “I can’t wait to get going, I am really looking forward to it. I love the stages, especially Hamilton’s Folly.” When asked about ‘Fisher’s Jump’, Derek continued, “I reckon its flat. I was there at the cross roads when Bertie took it, and helped fix the rotor arm in David Llewellin’s Audi when it broke, he landed so hard. But I reckon now the cars will take it!” At that his co-driver James McKee rolled his eyes skywards and muttered, “Aye, but what about your back!!”
Further changes to the top end of the published entry list include: David Moynihan now co-driving for Tim McNulty: Richard Hyland is co-driving for Brendan Cumiskey: Alastair Fisher has withdrawn to concentrate on the Pirelli Rally: Geoff McMahon has withdrawn: Donal Lennon is with Eugene Meegan and Sean Walsh with Christopher Boyce: Tony McDaid is co-driving for Kyle Orr: In the National B section Raymond Johnston, Seamus O’Connell, James McNulty and Cian O’Hare are non-starters. Robbie Barrable runs at 133 in his Fiesta. Car changes include Alan Carmichael at 11 is in a new Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 and Sean Flanagan is now in Mark Nangle’s Impreza N.
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